Playing in Poland but built on the Tyne, the headstrong Hatem Ben Arfa has learned how to deal with authority

Hatem Ben Arfa has gone from angry young man to French super sub with a transformation made in Newcastle.

Five months ago he was frustrated with boss Alan Pardew after repeatedly being picked only as a substitute.

He
was anxious over his 15 month struggle to play again after a potentially career-ending double leg break, which included months of walking with a limp.

Euro 2012 seemed a world away, as the Clairfontaine prodigy with a penchant for outbursts at authority figures, and moods that left Newcastle feeling he "put the barriers up",
toiled for a starting role.

Ben Arfa can help bring down England with the "touch of genius" that club boss Pardew says he possesses, completing a turnaround in fortunes very much nurtured by the
Tyneside club.

Jamie McDonald

Nose for a player: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

Although Pardew will be rooting for England he is delighted to have helped one of his biggest challenges to the top of the
European game.

Pardew said: "It's brilliant, I'm absolutely delighted for Hatem that he is at Euro 2012.

"I've
worked closely with him all year trying to get the best out of him. Hopefully, he'll carry that form on, and we'll see him build on that next season.

"Flair and making things happen is 80 per cent of his game. But he's also had to learn things are different at Newcastle, he has to realise he is part of a team.

"At first he struggled with that, but he has realised what he needs to do to play in the team. Moving him out to the right side if midfield has given him a little more
freedom to express himself.

Talk of the Toon: Ben Arfa

"If he loses the ball out there, it is not so damaging to the team's shape. He can cut inside or go down the outside.

"He
scored two truly special goals last season in his total of six. He has that ability. We know if we give him the ball in a one on one situation with a defender, he has the skill to go round them. He has got magic in his feet."

Ben Arfa admits he has changed. "I have grown up in my head so it has affected all aspects of my life. You could say really that in the last two to three years I have evolved a lot.

"You start to realise it is not always the fault of others. In the long run by questioning each situation you manage to tame yourself and you become less impatient, less impulsive, less driven by your own desires."